Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 4,290, Samuel Freeman, New Jersey

SERVICE
NUMBER
New Jersey
Freeman, Samuel
S. 4290
CONTENTS
carded

1838 Sept 7 Let to J. H. Freeman
5999 New Jersey
Samuel Freeman
in the State of New Jersey who was a Sergeant in the Company commanded by Captain Bailey of the Regt commanded by Col. Ford in the New Jersey line for 12 mos. — $60.00
Inscribed on the Roll of New Jersey at the rate of 60 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 21 day of Feb. 1833 and put to Hon. L. C. P. in disch. of her Reps.
Arrears to 4th of Sept. 1832 — $90.00 Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Mar 1833 — 30.00 $120.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Not June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Maria Luce Clerk, Book 3 Vol. 4 Page 157

Samuel Freeman.
No. 629
Samuel Freeman.
1st Serg c 860 pa and
no for

DECLARATION, IN ORDER TO OBTAIN THE BENEFIT OF THE ACT OF CONGRESS, PASSED JUNE 7, 1832.
STATE OF NEW-JERSEY, } Morris Com. Pleas, July & August special term 1832. County of Morris } ss.
On this tenth day of August, 1832, personally appeared, in open court, before the Judges of the Inferior
the court of Common Pleas now sitting, Samuel Freeman a resident of Morris town in the County of Morris and State of New-Jersey, aged seventy nine years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States, under the following named Officers, and served as herein stated: - In August, 1776, he performed his first tour of Militia duty, under Capt. Augustin Bailly, in Col. Ford's regiment - was marched from Morris town to Elizabeth town, performing guard duty upon the lines & at the landing places, guarding the inhabitants from plunder. Continued in service along the lines, till Genl. Washington retreated with the main Army through New Jersey late in November. Deponent with his company & other Militia forces, followed on in the rear as far as New Brunswick, when the Mi- litia separated from the main Army & marching by Boundbrook thro' Somerville went to Morris town. - Were then ordered to Essex County under Col Jacob Ford, met the enemy at Springfield where we had an engagement with them (not the time when Springfield was burnt) when several were wounded.
On this occasion, some Militia from Essex County were present with us. Orders were given for those in the front ranks to fire, & then retire to the rear, the rear rank then to advance & fire, & retire in their turn. - The Deponent was in the front rank, & when orders were given to fire, the rear rank fired directly thro' the front ranks. Two balls by order of this deponent, shot thro' the legs, the balls passing in at the calf of the leg & out at & thro' the shin bone, breaking their legs. - Robert Pollard, belonging to the Militia, was shot thro' the lungs but was not killed. This Deponent found 3 bullet holes thro' his coat, after the engagement was over. - He continued on the lines, at Springfield, Elizth town & elsewhere, performing guard duty & protecting the inhabitants during the whole of the winter of 1776-7, & in the spring of 1777 was relieved. - During this winter, & whilst under Genl. Winder, there was recd. of a British frigate, lying at Amboy, receiving supplies of provision &c. from the Tory inhabitants, & convey- ing them to the Army then in New York. - We were permitted as Volunteers, to take the alarm gun, a long 18 pounder, lying near Springfield, to Amboy during the night. A fire was opened from this gun early next morning, under the direction of Genl. Winder, upon the frigate, & after exchanging some shots, the frigate cut her cable & moved off. - In the year 1777, altho' he always went when alarms were given, on orders issued from his officers, to perform duty on the lines & elsewhere, yet from the frailty of memory, he cannot specify the times when, nor the officers under whom he performed duty in that year with any accuracy. -

In the year of the Monmouth battle, probably 1778, in June, he performed a tour of one month's duty, in Captain Joseph Beach's company, under the orders of General Winder. Two regiments were sent under Genl. Winder to intercept the British baggage sent toward the shore. Recd. information that a bridge had been destroyed, which induced him to return to Elizt. town.
Late in the summer or early in the fall of this year, '78 he performed a tour of duty under Capt. Joseph Beach & Genl. Winder, for one month. Was marched to Paramus, Hackensack & Acquackanonk, whilst the enemy was out in a large body on a plundering expedition for provisions & forage.
He performed another tour of duty in Capt. Joseph Beach's company, Col. Selby's Regiment in 1780, at Connecticut farms, upon an alarm. When we reached Springfield, the Church had been burned that day, & was smoking, as well as many other ruins. The battle had also ended, & the enemy retired near the Connecticut farms Church, which had been previously burned, where they lay the night after the battle of Springfield. The militia collecting in considerable force, joined Angel's Regiment & others who had fought the enemy, & pursued them in their retreat to Elizt. town. At the forks of the roads below the town, they (the enemy) formed & a considerable skirmish ensued. We drove them to their vessels, hanging their rear, & taking several prisoners. We remained some time at D'Keer's point, where a small fort had been previously built. He was a sergeant in Capt. Beach's company & always did duty as sergeant when out. He thinks he did not return home after this last month's tour expired - the service being urgent & pressing, he was constrained to remain under command of Capt. A. Baily for another month at Elizt. town & the shore & points of landing on guard duty. The British kept a part of their forces upon Staten Island opposite, & frequently came over upon plundering & foraging excursions, keeping the inhabitants in constant alarm, & sometimes firing across the narrow sheet of water which separated us, with their field pieces into our entrenchments.
He served"> He served one month guarding prisoners at Morris town jail, among whom he recollects one Siff, & one Mee, who had been concerned in raising a company under British commission, & who, with about 20 enlisted by them, had been taken prisoners when on their way to the enemy & conducted to Morris town jail, where they were tried before Judge Morris, convicted & condemned to death. Their officers, Siff & Mee, were actually hung, this deponent & his company standing the guard around the gallows, on Morris town green. Alexander Carmichael Esq. then Sheriff performed the duty of hanging them. The privates were pardoned on condition of enlisting in the U.S. service, as this deponent understood & believes. He thinks this was in the fall season, & was subsequent to the burning of Springfield. His recollection of dates however, he finds to be very imperfect, & is not to be relied on, & he hopes due allowance will be made for its failings, as it has become confounded & dented, by a paralytic shock within the last year or two.
He remembers being called out on alarm when the Pennsylvania line revolted. Capt. Beach was his officer. & marched toward Philadelphia - when after a few days, understanding the difficulties were adjusted, was dismissed & returned home. He never recd. a written discharge, nor a commission. When alarms were given or order recd. he held himself in readiness to march at a moment's warning. Was not drafted - but when left behind his whole company was ordered out, he & his comrades performed alternate service. - Colonels, Ford, Bott, Potts, Farlinghagen, Hathaway, & Selby - & Generals, Livingston, (afterward Governor) Williamson, Head, Maxwell, & Winder, were among the higher officers, who at different times were in service with him. Some of them however, were but little known to him. He sincerely believes, that he has faithfully performed two years service for his country, for which he claims its benefits.

He refers to Israel Canfield Esq. & Dr. Lewis Condict who have for many years been his neighbors, for his character for truth, & in regard to the general belief of having been a revolutionary soldier. — He was born in Hanover, in Morris County, June 2 d . 1753 — lived in Morris township when he first entered the Militia Service, & has lived in said township to the present day. — He refers to the depositions of Timothy Mills, Robert Young, & Peter Fairchild, old comrades & fellow laborers, herewith annexed, taken in this Court, in support of his Declaration & claim.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State, is only on that of the Agency of the State of New Jersey.
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid, Samuel Freeman
Stephen Vail
We, Israel Canfield , & Lewis Condict residing in the County of Morris hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Deacon Samuel Freeman who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be seventy nine years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
Stephen Vail
Israel Canfield Lewis Condict
And the said court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the court further certifies, that it appears to them, that Israel Canfield and Lewis Condict who have signed the preceding certificate, are resident in the Township of Morris in the County aforesaid, and that  the facts stated in the  above certificate are true to the best of their knowledge and are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Stephen Vail
David Day Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Samuel Freeman for a pension.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this tenth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
David Day

I hereby certify to the Secretary of War, that the within Declaration, Samuel Freeman, is one of our most respected citizens - has spent his whole life in this place, - has been for many years, a Deacon & Elder in the 1 st Presbyterian Church in this town, & has always maintained a consistent character for piety, & in all the walks of private life is universally respected & beloved. - His word will be doubted by no one who knows him, & I feel the most implicit confidence in the truth of his Declaration.
Morris town, N.J. August 22 d . 1832.
Lewis Condict of the
Representatives from N. Jersey.
N.B. In the foregoing Declaration of Saml. Freeman, there may seem to be some doubt, whether or not he acted as Sergeant in each monthly tour. - The paper was drawn by me, & I can speak with confidence in saying, that it was his own meaning as he related his services, that he was a Sergeant, & in each & every tour of duty, he acted as Sergeant.
Febr 20 th 1833.
Lewis Condict , one of the Reps. from N. Jersey.
[Faint mirrored text from the reverse side of the page]

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., Dec. 15, 1922
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Samuel Freeman a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his ( or his widow's ) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Aug. 1776 - Spring of 1777 Sgt. Augustus Bayles Jacob Ford, Jr. N.J.   June 1778 1 mo. " Joseph Beahm " "   Later in 1778 1 mo. " " " "   1780 1 mo. " " Lee "   1780 1 mo. " A. Bayles " "   Fall of 1780 1 mo. " Guarding prisoners at Morristown jail.  
Battles engaged in Engagement at Springfield in which captured prisoners.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Morristown, Morris Co., N.J.
Date of application for pension, Aug. 10, 1832. His cl. was ab.
Residence at date of application, Morristown, N.J.
Age at date of application Born June 2, 1753 in Hanover, Morris Co., N.J.
Remarks: No family data on file.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

1927-Dec 15-Heh. to Wm. Q. Conklin - mmf
Rev War
4290
INVALID.
File No. 4290
Samuel Freeman
Sergt. Rev War.
Act: June 7 1832
Index: — Vol. A , Page 131
[Arrangement of 1870.]
✓

THE NEW JERSEY SOCIETY SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
PRESIDENT ADRIAN LYON
FIRST VICE-PRESIDENT HARRY FRANK BREWER
SECOND-VICE PRESIDENT ELVORD G. CHAMBERLIN
SECRETARY DAVID LAWRENCE PIERSON
TREASURER FRANK E. QUINBY
REGISTRAR WILLIAM JOHNSON CONKLING
ASSISTANT REGISTRAR LIEUT.-COL. CHARLES A. ANDREWS
Headquarters 33 LOMBARDY STREET, NEWARK, N. J. Tel. Mulberry 0820
GENRALOGIST SAMUEL COPP WORTHEN
HISTORIAN REV. M. S. WATERS
CHAPLAIN REV. FRANK A. SMITH, D. D.
CHANCELLOR RAYMOND TOWNLEY PARROT
LIBRARIAN RUSSELL B. RANKIN
NATIONAL TRUSTEE C. SYMMES KIGGINS
November 18, 1922.
Hon. Washington Gardner, Commissioner, Bureau of Pensions, Department of the Interior, Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:-
Will you kindly furnish certificate showing military history of SAMUEL FREEMAN, Sergeant, N. J. Militia, Morris County, during the REVOLUTIONARY WAR.
The information is desired to establish eligibility of an applicant for membership in this Society; also to verify genealogical record of family.
Your courtesy will be highly appreciated.
Very truly yours,
W. J. Conkling Registrar N. J. S. A. R., 905 Union Building, Newark, N. J.

Morris Com. Pleas, July & August special Term, 1832.
Personally appeared in open Court this day Robert Young, of said County aged 79 years, who being duly sworn, on his oath declares, that he served his Country as a Militia man in the war of the Revolution as a Militia man on several occasions - that he was on the lines at Arguskanonk in Opera County & Hackensack in Bergen, that whilst on one of these tours, he will remember that he saw Samuel Freeman, both at Arguskanonk & Hackensack, on Militia duty, whom he will know at home, & ever since, that they were both together concerned in an excursion to take a small fort on the North of Hackensack, distant about 3 miles from that place, called the Pollyfly, - that General Winder commanded the expedition, & ended in the a failure to take the fort, after considerable skirmishing & reconnoitering. Further he saith not.
Sworn & subscribed in open Court before me, August 7 th 1832.
Robert Young
William Britton
The above deponent Robert Young, is well known to me, & I believe him fully entitled to belief.
Aug. 19 th 1833.
Lewis Condict, one of the Refs. from N. Jersey.

Peter Fairchild's affidavit, in case of Saml. Newman.
1848 Nov 20
[Faint, mirrored bleed-through text from the reverse side of the page]

Erie Com. Pleas, July & Aug t . Special term 1832.
Before the Judges of this Court now sitting, personally appears Peter Fairchild aged 77 & well known to the Court as a man of truth, who being duly sworn according to Law, on his oath declares, that he was often in service of his country in the war of the Revolution - as a Soldier & a Militia man, that he was on a tour of Militia duty in 1779 or 1780 probably - at the battle & burning of Springfield, - that whilst on this tour, he recollects Samuel Freeman, as a Militia man, performing Militia service also - saw said Freeman before Springfield, performing the same duty as this deponent, according to his understanding & belief. Further saith not.
Sworn & subscribed in open Court before me, August 7 th 1832.
Peter Fairchild
William Britton
to you

New Jersey Morris County
ss. Before me Stephen Vail Esq. a Judge of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas for said County, personally came, Timothy Mills of said County to me known & believed to be a man of truth, & being duly sworn, doth on his oath declare, that he was himself, a Militia man in the Revolutionary war, that he was performing Militia duty at various times at Elizabeth town, & upon the lines - that he only believes, that Samuel Newman, who was a fellow officer with him, & well known to this deponent for many years, did perform Militia duty at Elizabeth town at the same time with this deponent, having seen him there when on such duty as he believes - but he cannot ascertain the month, nor the year, when such service was done, nor can he remember the officers under whom he served. Further this deponent saith not.
Sworn & subscribed before me at Morris town, July 28th 1832.
Stephen Vail
Timothy Mills
State of New Jersey Morris County ss.
I David Day Clerk of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas of the County of Morris do hereby certify that Stephen Vail Esq. before whom the foregoing deposition was taken was at the time of taking thereof and still is a Judge of the said Court duly commissioned and sworn. I further I certify that the foregoing deposition and the signature of David Day Clerk is his genuine signature. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the said Court this tenth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two David Day Clerk